Fig
“Fig tree”
Summary
One of the most common and valuable fruit trees of Palestine, whose fruit served as a dietary staple and whose shade became proverbial for peace and prosperity.
☩Description and Cultivation
The fig (Ficus carica) is the principal shade and fruit tree of Palestine, growing to 15-20 feet with a spread of 25-30 feet. Its dense foliage provides better shade than any other tree in the region. The tree produces fruit that appears before the leaves, with two crops annually: early figs ripening in June and the main crop in August. Mount Olivet was famous for its fig trees in ancient times.
☩Symbol of Peace
To sit under one's own vine and fig tree became the proverb for peace and prosperity. This imagery appears in Solomon's reign and is used prophetically of the Messiah's millennial kingdom. The destruction of fig trees signified calamity, while their abundance indicated divine blessing. Plenitude of fruitful vines and fig trees, especially individual ownership, thus became emblematic of long-continued peace.
☩The Cursed Fig Tree
Jesus cursed a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, finding nothing but leaves though He expected fruit since the fruit precedes the leaves. This acted parable portrayed the fruitless Jewish nation: they had the show of religion and precocious profession but lacked the fruit of faith and love. Like that tree, the Jews were singled out by God from all nations yet produced only leaves without substance.
☩Practical Uses
Figs were eaten fresh, dried, and pressed into cakes for preservation. Abigail brought 200 cakes of figs to David. A poultice of figs was used medicinally for Hezekiah's boil. Fig leaves provided Adam and Eve their first covering after the Fall, though inadequate to cover their shame before God.
Related Verses55 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Fig, Fig-tree," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Fig, Fig-Tree," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fig," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Fig," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).